RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:
Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the
Climate
Controls
chapter for more information.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towing
in the
Roadside Emergencies
chapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle after it
is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
can be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow
dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles
can be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer.
Do not tow your 4WD vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels
on the ground; this will cause damage to your 4WD system.
If you
are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by
the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the
ground, refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
•
Tow only in the forward direction.
•
Release the parking brake.
•
Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•
Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer to
Starting
in the
Driving
chapter).
•
Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•
Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running
and your foot on the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R
(Reverse) before shifting back into N (Neutral).
Tires, Wheels and Loading
263
2011 Explorer
(exp)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA
(fus)